Andreas D. Arditya, Jakarta – In the latest in a series of populist policies launched as his term in office comes to a close, Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo began official distribution of cards for children in the free 12-year compulsory education program on Wednesday.
Fauzi symbolically handed "Kartu Gratis Wajib Belajar" (Free Compulsory Education Cards) to two elementary school students during a ceremony at State Vocational High School No. 13 in Rawa Belong, West Jakarta, on Wednesday morning.
In May, the administration decided to extend the current nine-year basic education program by a further three years. The Jakarta administration is ahead of the central government, which expects to implement the program nationwide in 2013.
Before this program launch, the city administration followed the central government's education policy, providing facilities to ensure every student completed junior high school, and waiving tuition fees at public schools.
Under the 12-year program, the city will fund facilities and operational costs at elementary, junior and senior high schools. The administration requested an additional Rp 675 billion (US$71.55 million) from the City Council for the 12-year education program in this year's Budget Revision.
The launch of the program has fueled speculation that Fauzi is trying to boost his popularity ahead of the September runoff. Fauzi dismissed the accusation, saying that the education card launch was nothing whatsoever to do with his reelection bid.
"This is part of a continual improvement program for the city in the education section. The launch is scheduled to coincide with the start of the new education year," the governor said at the ceremony.
This is not the first Fauzi-fueled populist extravaganza at the 11th hour of his term, which ends on Oct. 7.
In July, his administration launched a venture to provide free healthcare for the city's elderly, jumantik (voluntary larvae controllers) and religious leaders of long service.
In the same month, the city initiated free health services at all public hospitals in Jakarta for residents holding relief letters (SKTM). In the past, relief letters only entitled the holder to a 50 percent discount on hospital bills.
In June, Pulo Gebang bus terminal in East Jakarta began operations despite still being under construction. The new terminal was 80 percent completed when launched, with full completion schedule for December.
Fauzi faces Surakarta Mayor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who finished first in the July 11 election, in the runoff on Sept. 20. According to the Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta), Jokowi won 1,847,157 votes or 42.6 percent in the votes cast, followed by Fauzi with 1,476,648 or 34.05 percent out of the total of 4,336,486 valid votes.
On Wednesday, People's Voters Education Network (JPRR) national coordinator Yusfitriadi said that Jokowi and Fauzi were both making campaign moves to win more voters ahead of the runoff. "Some of the moves are easily visible, while some others are hidden under cover," Yusfitriadi told The Jakarta Post.
Yusfitriadi said that all of the candidates moves were fair game as long as they didn't violate any regulations, and as long as they didn't play on religion or ethnicity issues.
In the runoff, candidates will be allowed to hold only small-scale campaign meetings and attend the broadcast debates between Sept. 14 and 16.